[Factors associated with mental disorders in the psychiatric department of the university hospital centre of Point G in Mali.].

INTRODUCTION

Mental health is a state of equilibrium and well-being, any alteration of which leads to the appearance of a state of distress and/or mental disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this work was to study familial and environmental factors associated with mental disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Psychiatry Department of the Point G University Hospital Center from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 among outpatients with a psychiatric disorder in whom factors associated with psychiatric disorders were studied.

RESULTS

We included 288 patients. The median age was 33.0 years. The sex ratio was 1.88 in favor of males. Married patients accounted for 45.5%. First born uterine siblings accounted for 26.7%. Patients born of an inbreeding alliance accounted for 25.7%. Cases with a family history of a psychiatric disorder represented 59.0% and those who spent their childhood with their parents accounted for 64.2%. Cases of psychoactive substance use prior to the onset of the mental disorder accounted for 42.7%. The main psychosocial stress factors that preceded the onset of the mental disorder were grief (46.2%) and family conflict (22.6%). Psychotic disorders accounted for 77.8%.

CONCLUSION

Our results show an association of mental disorders with family history of psychiatric disorder among patients followed in psychiatry. Further studies, such as genetic association may prove useful.